RANGERS could be ready to battle it out with Celtic for the signing of West Ham winger Grady Diangana, according to sources close to the player.

Diangana, who is currently on loan at English Championship side West Bromwich Albion and played in last night’s goalless draw with Fulham, was reported to be on Celtic manager Neil Lennon’s radar earlier this week.

Herald Sport understands though that while the Scottish champions have made initial enquiries about the potential availability of the 22-year-old, Rangers have also made contact with his representatives with a view to luring the player north of the border.

In fact, Rangers are believed to have come close to landing Diangana last summer before they moved on to other targets, and the player instead made the move to The Hawthorns.

Diangana’s future is unlikely to be resolved before the end of the English season, with parent club West Ham fighting for their survival near the bottom of the English Premier League.

The player’s preference is to stay at the club, but his priority for next season is to continue playing regular first-team football, and if that is unlikely to be the case at the London Stadium he would be willing to look at another loan move or even a permanent transfer.

West Brom are keen to bring Diangana back to the club next season after a successful spell there this term, and their chances of doing so may be boosted if they can secure promotion to the English Premier League, with the player not sold on the value of another season in the Championship. The Baggies currently sit in second place, in the last automatic promotion position.

Clubs elsewhere on the continent have also made enquiries for the player, but Diangana himself is believed to be open to the idea of playing in Glasgow, with the promise of playing in European competition a major lure as he seeks to test himself at the highest level possible.